Have you ever thought to yourself, “this would be so much easier if I did this myself?” I am guilty of thinking this…and doing it! Working with others isn’t always easier, but it is so worth it in the end. Hang with me for a moment as I unpack one of my experiences regarding inclusion.
The most powerful and effective tool I have learned in songwriting is the gift of co-writing. Co-writing (in the songwriting world) simply means you don’t write solo, but bring another writer, or several writers, into the writing room. My best songs have been written with others. The song doesn’t come only from me but is a co-creation between me and other creatives who are expressing their gifts.
Just like any other person, creatives have strengths and weaknesses. For example, I am a strong melody and structure writer, but have had to work over the years at growing stronger in lyrical content. When I first began co-writing, I noticed a huge shift when I co-wrote with someone who was strong with lyrics and content. I left co-writes feeling a sense of relief, satisfaction, and joy because the weight of the song was equally shared between the writers based upon strengths, and the outcome was much better than what I could have created alone.
I share this testimony to say how important it is to learn to create and work with others. I know it can be challenging, especially for leaders, to forego your idea to run with someone else’s, to step aside and allow someone else to lead, or work with difficult personalities. Here are a few points to ponder regarding.
We are called to honor others as a we would honor ourselves.
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:37-40 NLT
Though the command to love your neighbor as yourself is listed second, it states that it is equally important as loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This goes beyond just being nice to people. To love someone means that you receive and accept them as they are AND treat them better than you would treat yourself. This my friends, can only happen when your life is submitted to Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit is at work within you.
Creativity is stifled when you stifle people.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. – Romans 12:6-8 NLT
Here’s the bottom line. EVERY person has a gift, and EVERY person should be given opportunity to use their gifts. As believers we have a responsibility to recognize the talents of others and make room for others to shine. If you are unwilling to open yourself up to this kind of partnership with others, you will not only stifle others, but you will also stifle yourself. I challenge you to guard your heart from this kind of arrogance and pride and ask Holy Spirit to help you recognize, receive and release others around you.
God’s people are to be unified, not uniform.
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! – Psalm 133:1 NIV
To be uniform means to be the same. To be in unity means different people moving towards the same thing. There is joy and blessing when we dwell together in unity. Unity also makes the creative process much more fun and rewarding.
I encourage you to look for ways to include others in your creative journey. Remember from last week’s blog, “everyone is creative because everyone is created in the image of God.”
Lydia
